Clarion calls mark National Voters' Day celebration
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 25 2014 : Reminding that principles governing the enviable democratic form of governance will be further en-riched when the electors pur- posefully exercise their fran-chise right, Governor Vinod Kumar Duggal called upon the younger generation to sustain Manipur's reputation as one of the outstanding States in pro-moting democratic process.

speaking as the chief guest at the State level 4th National Voters' Day organised by the office of Chief electoral Officer at the Palace Compound auditorium of Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) today, Governor Duggal said the national event is being organised across the country is not only to officially enrol fresh electors but to also encourage all the electorates participate in the de- mocratic exercise.

Stating that Manipur has an outstanding tradition in terms of democratic process and prevailing upon the young voters to exercise their franchise rights through their own conscience and firm decision instead of being in- fluenced by others, the Governor noted that since people of Manipur participated in elections for the first time in 1948 the number of participants in the democratic exer- cise has been witnessing significant growth in number.

Newly enrolled voters pose for the camera

Pointing out that overwhelming number of voters in the last many years either during assembly polls or in parliamentary hustings indicate democratic vibrancy in the State and the people's awareness about their constitutional rights, VK Duggal expressed confidence that the young voters would continue to uphold such a tradition through participation in the upcoming elections.

Noting manipuri women's pro-active role in various important issues as well as their significant participation in elections, he suggested that women take the responsibility to encourage other family members exercise their democratic right purposefully.

speaking at the occasion, Chief Secretary PC Lawm-kunga said national Voters' Day celebration held annually since 2011 is based on the concept of healthy participation in democratic exercise by the citizens and enrol fresh voters to enable them join the nation building process.

Under the initiative of the election commission of India campaigns on electoral participation, essay competition, road shows and media panel discussions are being organised as a component of the Voters' day celebration, said the former manipur CEO.

In the past six decades the ECI has conducted or monitored 50 general elections to the Lok Sabha and 331 assembly polls, said the IAS officer while informing that Manipur presently commands 17.40 lakh voters.

According to the CEO O Nabakishore events commemorating national Voters' Day are being held at the district, sub-divisional and polling booth levels to remind the voters their democratic rights.

He also asserted that the State election office is prepared for smooth conduct of the upcoming parliamentary election in Manipur.

Message by the Chief Election Commissioner of India VS Sampath was also telecast at the occasion.

As part of the celebration, prizes were distributed to winners of State level essay competition held under the theme 'Ethical Voting', along with a skit show and felicitation of newly enrolled voters.

National Voters' Day was also celebrated at Irawat Bhawan, BT road by All India Youth Federation, Manipur State Council.

Taking serious note of money and muscle power during elections undermining Indian democracy, Dr M Nara, recently declared as the common candidate of 10 political parties for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, appealed to all concerned to ensure that the democratic exercise if conducted in a free and fair manner.

speaking at the occasion of National Voters' Day, Dr Nara suggested that irrespective of concept by the political organisations or individual candidates that elections could be won through money and muscle power the electors need to cast the votes taking into account merit and commitment of the contestants to uphold the people's interest after election.

Acknowledging that electoral politics in Manipur has deviated from democratic ethics with certain section of the society bargaining their franchise right with the colour of the currency notes, he opined that the 16th Lok Sabha election slated for February is yet another opportunity for the people to prove that their democratic right is not for sale.

disagreeing with the notion that wealth of the contesting candidates is the decisive factor in electoral politics, Dr Nara said the electors should outrightly reject offer for money or alcoholic substances in exchange for their invaluable votes during elections.

Pointing out that wave of electoral reformation has been sweeping across India, he said people of Manipur too need to join the reformation process so that Indian democracy remains vibrant and enviable to the global fraternity.

State unit janata Dal (United) president M Tombi in his address asserted that the upcoming Lok Sabha election should be contested with scrapping of AFSPA 1958 from Manipur as the main issue.

Highlighting that successive Governments have failed to live upto the people's expectation and demand that the pro-military law should be removed from the State, Tombi called upon the people to ensure election of candidate who could effectively put up and uphold Manipur's interest in the Parliament.

Among others, Shiv Sena manipur unit organiser Sapam Shamungou and AIYF/MSC president Ch Sarat Singh also addressed the gathering at the National Voters' Day programme during which visually impaired Dr Sapam Jasobanta Singh was felicitated for his research work.